When facing left-handed hitters, Delabar has allowed five hits in 56 at-bats, for a .089 batting average. He has not allowed a home run and has six walks against 17 strikeouts. Against right-handers, though, it’s a different story. He has allowed 18 hits in 74 at-bats for a .243 average. Incredibly, nine of the 18 hits he has allowed have gone for home runs.

WHAT'S WITH THAT?

“I began working on a slider, a pitch that can combat the right-handed hitters,” Delabar said. “Those are the guys that have been hitting home runs. The main focus is to get that third pitch, or maybe just another pitch, that I can throw when I’m behind in the count, so those guys aren’t just sitting on the fastball. Because when you’re supplying a lot of the power, all those guys have to do is catch up with it and it goes a long way.”

CUT AND DRY

Aaron Laffey had his poorest start since moving into the rotation in Tuesday’s 7-2 loss to the Mariners. In

This season has been sort of a breakthrough campaign for the left-hander and Laffey credits most of his success to the development of a cutter — a cut fastball — as suggested by Jays pitching coaches Bruce Walton and Pete Walker.

Against the Mariners, though, he said he may have relied on it too much.

“You have days like this, especially me being a contact pitcher,” Laffey said. “Forcing guys to make contact, putting the ball in play, games like this can happen. Looking back on the game I kind of got away from my sinker the last couple of games. That’s my bread and butter right there. I’m getting a little cutter and four-seam happy so in the bullpen, I’ll work on getting that sinker, getting it back in and being a big part of my game. It’s a pitch that I need to go to.”

THAMES EXCITED

Former Jays outfielder Eric Thames wasn’t shedding any tears over being traded to the Seattle Mariners. On the contrary, he was beaming.

“It’s just a great opportunity,” Thames said. “I felt like in triple-A (Las Vegas) I had no idea what was going on, what was going to happen. Now, talking to the GM of the Seattle Mariners, and knowing it’s a fresh chance for a new start with a great band of teammates. It’s very exciting and you can’t help but feeling enthused. I really am, it’s a great opportunity for me to come here and play ball with a new team and develop with these players.”